During the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, several businesses took a serious knock and many people found themselves unable to put food on their tables. Unscrupulous people have used this as an opportunity to gain money fraudulently. Several have fallen prey to an online job vacancy scam regarding positions that were supposedly available at Netcare Kingsway Hospital.
One of the victims of the scam was sent fake documents to apply for the position and was told to pay a sum of money for tests to be conducted. Anna Naicker was delighted when she initially discovered the vacancy, however, those feelings quickly changed when she realised that she was scammed for R870.
“There was a telephone number listed on the website and when I called the man gave me an email address to send through my CV. He then emailed me a medical form and pre-employment forms. I then received a call stating that I needed to pay for medical tests to be conducted and that I would be reimbursed. So I paid. He called again to say that I would need to pay for uniforms. I never went for an interview, but he told me that I got the job. Everything on the website looked legitimate and I had no reason to question it. I have since tried the number that he supplied, but he has not answered.”
Netcare Kingsway Hospital issued a warning to the public regarding ongoing job offer and training scams advertised on social media platforms, SMS or emails.
“The advertisements or messages claim that Netcare or certain Netcare hospitals are seeking to employ nurses, administrators or fill other positions. Similarly, learnerships and internship vacancies within Netcare are also being advertised,” said regional director, Craig Murphy.
According to Murphy, the name of Netcare or a Netcare hospital is being fraudulently used in these scam advertisements to solicit money from the public. Applicants are often requested to send payment as a part of their application, with a promise of either employment at a Netcare facility or training towards becoming an employee, but are then defrauded of their money.
“Netcare does not recruit or advertise jobs, learnerships and internships in this manner and we urge the public to be vigilant with regard to any such offers, as they do not originate from Netcare. Members of the public can contact the Netcare Human Resources Shared Services Centre on 086-022-5547 to find out whether a job or training opportunity is legitimate. We furthermore strongly recommend that those individuals who have been scammed open a case with the police. We strongly caution job seekers not to make any payment to secure employment, a job interview, learnership, or internship where the name of Netcare is used.”
